With approximately 7 lakh cases and 21k deaths India has become 3rd most affected country by Corona virus in the world.
Indian society has immensely effected by COVID-19. Indian economy have devastated too.
The COVID-19 outbreak affects all segments of the population and is particularly detrimental to members of those social groups in the most vulnerable situations, continues to affect populations, including people living in poverty situations, older persons, persons with disabilities, youth, and indigenous peoples. Early evidence indicates that that the health and economic impacts of the virus are being borne disproportionately by poor people. For example, homeless people, because they may be unable to safely shelter in place, are highly exposed to the danger of the virus. People without access to running water, refugees, migrants, or displaced persons also stand to suffer disproportionately both from the pandemic and its aftermath.
Let us have a look on how the society is affected by COVID-19 :
Women
Women are at greater risk from the health perspective. Homes which were already unsafe along with families living in poor and substandard conditions have added on to the social inequities like gender-based violence and child abuse, lack of security, money and health.
The report by NALSA documents cases from the start of the lockdown till May 15 and was collected through 28 State Legal Services (SLAs). Some shocking numbers were revealed in the report which mentioned that a total of 144 cases of domestic violence were reported in Uttarakhand. From Haryana, the number of cases were 79 and a total of 69 cases surfaced from Delhi. In financially affected Lower class and lower middle class families, women tend to neglect their own requirements and prioritising other family member’s Issues. Issues like her menstrual hygiene, mental health and nutrition do not feature in the list of priority.
Mental health
Social stress caused by lockdown has many faces and reasons resulting from travelling restrictions and disruption of cultural celebrations, limited healthcare facilities and interruption in regular immunisations in hospitals leading to anxiety and fear among the population, social distancing with friends and family, closure of places of entertainment and leisure, unplanned closure of schools and colleges affecting both students and parents regarding the academic year and the loss of quality education. Inadequate infrastructure, leading to ill-equipped healthcare employees who are fighting endlessly to treat patients and protect themselves from infection at the same time are all quite visible. This major loss and unpreparedness is an aftermath of the negligence of healthcare sector since years. Incapacitated hospitals and distressed primary healthcare are significant reasons behind so much distress among the people for a disease which could be prevented with a little care and precaution.
Mental health of people has disturbed cause of the lockdown. People are in financial troubles and cannot go out, so they’ve started taking impulsive decisions like suicide. Many suicide cases have been reported within past few months.
Migrant workers
The issue of migrant workers was one of the most cruel and highlighted issue in this pandemic where millions were rendered unemployed and stranded without money, food and shelter, criss-crossing the country’s highways to return to their villages and several meeting with accidents and deaths on their way. Unemployment has rendered a large section as directionless, leaving the social health as well as economy in shambles.
Elderly people
Older people are particularly affected by COVID-19. They need special attention during the COVID-19 crisis, and their voices, opinions and concerns are important in formulating responses.
Older persons living in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, are particularly vulnerable to infection and adverse outcomes from COVID-19. Older persons who live alone may face barriers to obtaining accurate information, food, medication, and other essential supplies during quarantine conditions and community outreach is required. Older persons, especially in isolation, those with cognitive decline, and those who are highly care-dependent, need a continuum of practical and emotional support through informal networks (families), health workers, caregivers, and volunteers.
Youth
COVID-19 effected the youth of India immensely. Their career hampered because of nationwide lockdown. School and colleges are closed for a particular time period. Board exams got cancelled. It is creating a sense of frustrating among the students and their parents.
Another impact of COVID-19 on the Indian society is distancing from family and friends. Due to social distancing people cannot attend the wedding, birthday parties and many functions.
These were some impacts of COVID-19 on Indian society. There are more impacts as well.
Eduindex News 